companionway hatches - how to comply with racing rules

[ytd]

I've been reading the requirements and can't see how to comply. Since lots of boats do comply, what am I missing?

The rules say the hatch must be fitted with a latch which is capable of securing the hatch in the closed position AND be operable from above and below. If you put a latch on the inside how does someone in the cockpit operate it? That sounds like a door latch but how do you fit one to a sliding companionway hatch?

 

[Twister_Ken]

Cheap and cheerful solution on a boat I used to race:

Drill a small hole top centre of top washboard. Fit a dinghy sized clamcleat at bottom centre of companion way, inside and out. Run a line from the one cleat to the other via the washboard hole.

Hey presto - securely held in place in the event of an inversion. Easy to release from either side.

 

[john_morris_uk]

There are lots of ways of doing it.

This is one hatch catch that fulfils the requirement: http://marinestore.co.uk/SS23-35.html

 

[john_morris_uk]

Cheap and cheerful solution on a boat I used to race:

Drill a small hole top centre of top washboard. Fit a dinghy sized clamcleat at bottom centre of companion way, inside and out. Run a line from the one cleat to the other via the washboard hole.

Hey presto - securely held in place in the event of an inversion. Easy to release from either side.

Good for the washboards, but I though he was asking about the sliding hatch...?

 

[Strathglass]

I've been reading the requirements and can't see how to comply. Since lots of boats do comply, what am I missing?

The rules say the hatch must be fitted with a latch which is capable of securing the hatch in the closed position AND be operable from above and below. If you put a latch on the inside how does someone in the cockpit operate it? That sounds like a door latch but how do you fit one to a sliding companionway hatch?

I just have a a couple of cam cleats and a piece of 6mm rope.

One cleat inside, rope up and over the washboard then down to the other cleat outside.

I have cut a small gap on the top of the washboard so that the hatch cover does not catch the rope.

Iain

 

[Twister_Ken]

Good for the washboards, but I though he was asking about the sliding hatch...?

Same technique would work

 

[Bilgediver]

I've been reading the requirements and can't see how to comply. Since lots of boats do comply, what am I missing?

The rules say the hatch must be fitted with a latch which is capable of securing the hatch in the closed position AND be operable from above and below. If you put a latch on the inside how does someone in the cockpit operate it? That sounds like a door latch but how do you fit one to a sliding companionway hatch?

Are you sure you are reading the rules correctly? The usual rule refers to the washboards which slide out when the boat inverts so must be held in place. Usually the hatch is on its own captive type runners and does not fall out on inversion?????

 

[prv]

Are you sure you are reading the rules correctly?

I've never had to read these kinds of rules, but I think hatch (not washboard) closing must be in at least one set because the "Fastnet" type catch pointed to by John is usually specifically described as meeting them.

Pete

 

[MonniotC]

extract from ISAF regs cat. 3 (Races across open water, most of which is relatively protected or close
to shorelines.):

3.08.4 A companionway hatch shall:
a) be fitted with a strong securing arrangement which shall be
operable from the exterior and interior including when the yacht is
inverted
b) have any blocking devices (e.g. washboards):
i capable of being retained in position with the hatch open or shut
ii whether or not in position in the hatchway, secured to the yacht
(e.g. by lanyard) for the duration of the race, to prevent their
being lost overboard

Note that the above has requirements for securing both the hatch (section a), and the washboards (section b). Note that section b) i requires that the washboards must be securable whether the hatch itself is open or shut. The rope and camcleats would fulfil this function. In addition, section a) requires that the hatch (not washboards) must be securable from both inside and out. This would require something like the steel latch. So it sounds like you need both, as well as a lanyard to the washboard to prevent it being lost overboard when not secured in place (section b) i).

 

[Neil_Y]

Pretty much the same as the codeing requirements.

I used a line running via a small block attached to the sliding hatch with jam cleats on inside and outside as Twister suggested. Bit fiddly sometimes but it could be secured and released form either side.

This was on the advice of the surveyor when I had a similar question when doing my codeing.

 

[ytd]

thanks all for the replies. Looks like I will be getting the latch and the line through the upper washboard but I think I will make this line double as the washboard lanyard.